Gato's calculated strategy was brilliant in its ruthless simplicity: blame Akatsuki, initiate a catastrophic conflict between the rogue organization and the Great Shinobi Villages, and then swoop in at the end to maximize his own profits and power.
What Gato failed to realize, however, was that Itachi Uchiha was Konoha's deeply embedded double agent. The true nature of Itachi's mission was known only to the Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and perhaps a few others through highly classified intelligence.
Yet, Shen Mo offered no intervention. He observed with a detached, keen curiosity, eager to see how the natural forces—and the unnatural power of the Jars—would reshape the geopolitical landscape.
The moment Shen Mo materialized on the bridge, all eyes locked onto him. He was no longer a mere eccentric merchant. With the cosmic cracks in the sky, the magical arena, and the silent, terrifying specter of the high-ranking members, Shen Mo now represented a potent, unpredictable, and potentially global force.
"It seems the first stage has concluded," Shen Mo announced, his unhurried voice ringing clearly. As he spoke, the cracks in the sky, except for the lingering one containing the Tier Four Member, sealed shut, vanishing without a trace.
Shen Mo paused, tilting his head slightly as if listening to an unseen transmission, then smiled—a calculated, encouraging gesture aimed squarely at Haku.
"Haku, I have good news for you," Shen Mo continued. "A senior member of the Chamber of Commerce was immensely moved by the intensity of the bond displayed between you and Zabuza. As a show of approval, that member has granted you a five-Jar purchase right for the Tier Four series."
"A Tier Four Jar!?" Kakashi exclaimed, his composure finally snapping.
Haku shot bolt upright, his cold focus instantly replaced by an utterly bewildered shock. Tier Four Jars! The sheer magnitude of the prize was staggering. Based on the Merchant's own implied prices, a single Tier Four Jar was valued at approximately fifty million Ryo.
Even though the offer was limited to only five Jars, the potential contained within was immense. Even common items at that level would be exponentially powerful. If Haku possessed the incredible luck to draw a true Tier Four skill or artifact, the power could be world-altering. Kakashi and Naruto were momentarily gripped by an envious, feverish yearning.
"A Tier Four purchase right costs three million points," Shen Mo explained with a light, persuasive laugh. "The higher the tier, the lower the ratio of 'common' items. The potential for acquiring unique, world-breaking abilities is significantly greater. You must strive to take full advantage of this opportunity."
Haku hesitated. Three months felt impossibly short. His first priority was resurrecting Lord Zabuza.
At that moment, Zabuza, who had been merely breathing, forced his eyes open, and with a desperate surge of will, grabbed Haku's hand.
"First... take the Jar!" Zabuza struggled, blood bubbling on his lips. "My... dream... needs power!"
Why did I fail? Zabuza's final, desperate, lucid thought was not about the money, or the tender heart, but about the brutal, core failure: I was not strong enough. The Tier Four Jar was the singular, tremendous hope for achieving true, unassailable power.
"I understand, Lord Zabuza," Haku whispered, gripping his master's hand fiercely, biting his own lip until it bled. "I will earn it. I will give everything."
"Za... Zabuza?" Gato stammered, staring in confusion at the dying, beautiful woman, utterly unable to reconcile this image with the scarred Demon of the Mist.
Satisfied by Haku's renewed, absolute resolve, Zabuza finally reached his limit. He slowly closed his eyes. The Kempf Bracelet on his wrist flared with a brilliant blue light before clattering to the ground.
Under the faint blue glow, Zabuza's body reverted instantly to its original, masculine form—no longer the Kämpfer. The membership badge slowly detached, rising into the air.
The corpse then dematerialized into shimmering starlight, collapsing into the badge.
Kakashi and the others watched in astonished silence. This was the process of death and retention within the Chamber of Commerce: the soul and the physical remnants were absorbed into the badge, ensuring that resurrection required minimal points, thus enabling Shen Mo's daring Tier Three resurrection gamble.
Haku carefully retrieved Zabuza's badge, clutching it like the most sacred treasure in existence.
"As per the collateral agreement, I will retain the equipment used for the mission," Shen Mo declared, raising his hand. All of Zabuza's gear, save for the Kempf Bracelet—which had been a free reward and thus not collateralized—gathered into an ethereal sphere. "If Zabuza is resurrected, the equipment will be returned."
At that precise moment, the sound of glass breaking resonated. The elaborate, mirrored Stage of Destiny shattered, fading away completely. Everyone found themselves instantly back on the rugged surface of the Great Naruto Bridge, as if the battle had never left the physical realm.
"Unbelievable..." Kakashi muttered, glancing around. The pain in his body and the near-dead Sasuke beside him confirmed the reality. It was not Genjutsu; a real, temporary arena had been constructed.
"Further information regarding the Stage of Destiny will be transmitted to your badges shortly," Shen Mo stated, glancing at Sasuke. He noted with satisfaction that the boy's soul had fully settled back into his body, though he needed deep rest.
Shen Mo had other, larger matters to attend to. With a final, silent nod, he vanished.
Kakashi watched the Merchant disappear, then looked at Rin and Sakura rushing toward them. He knew one thing for certain: the era of brutal, unknown battles driven by the Jars had just begun, and they had to keep winning simply to survive.
"Naruto, carry Sasuke. We are returning to the village."
"Right!"
Shen Mo reappeared in his secluded home, seating Fei Ju comfortably on his lap before focusing on the task at hand. The trial run of the Stage of Destiny was a resounding success. Haku was now fiercely motivated to acquire the limited-time Tier Four Jars. The jealousy generated among the other members would naturally drive them to seek out their own opportunities for glory and higher-tier rewards.
"The next step," Shen Mo murmured, stroking the goldfish, "is to broadcast the announcement of the Stage of Destiny's activation to all members."
The amazing results achieved with a handful of people needed to be amplified across his entire client base.
Far away, in a quiet Konoha apartment, Tsunade Senju was meticulously examining the properties of the Holy Light—a magnificent, novel power distinct from Chakra. She was engrossed in studying the new 'toy' when the membership badge resting on her chest suddenly warmed.
She pulled it out instantly. The badge was emitting a faint, golden glow.
"What is this...?"
Tsunade pressed the center of the badge.
BZZZT.
A realistic, holographic projection sprang forth from the center of the badge, displaying the figure of a small girl. She was impeccably cute, with large, doll-like features and a pair of small, pink wings on her back. For some inexplicable reason, she was holding a large, perfectly round watermelon.
"Greetings," the girl announced in a calm, flat voice, still clutching the enormous watermelon. "I am Icarus, the Master's AI Assistant. The Stage of Destiny System has now been activated within this world. I will now explain the system's purpose, functions, and the benefits available to all members..."
Tsunade attempted to speak, but realized the projection was simply a looping, prerecorded video segment. The information presented next, however, immediately commanded her complete and undivided attention.